The Democratic National Committee spent Memorial Day using photos of fallen American soldiers as ammunition in a political attack on President Trump, but then tried to delete the tasteless political stunt when criticized by members of its own party.
The official Democrats X account, which has 2.4 million followers, posted a black memorial graphic Monday featuring the names, ranks, and faces of the 13 U.S. service members killed during Operation Epic Fury.
“Today, we honor the American heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in Trump’s war with Iran,” it read. “REMEMBERING THE AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED IN TRUMP’S WAR WITH IRAN.”
After backlash from both parties, the post was quietly deleted. No apology was issued.
DNC Chair Ken Martin made no public statement acknowledging the post or explaining its removal. The Democrats’ account later replaced it with a generic tribute: “This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and defend our freedoms.”
Take a look –
This was take two. The Democrats deleted this, no apology. https://t.co/GJR8YnBNsY pic.twitter.com/hl9WhHmORL
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) May 25, 2026
Even decorated Democratic veterans said their own party had crossed a line.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), an Army helicopter pilot who lost both legs after her Black Hawk was struck by a grenade during the Iraq War, did not mince words.
It is incredibly distasteful to use our heroic dead for a political attack on Memorial Day. I’m a Democrat and I condemn this post by the DNC. https://t.co/2lqI4jGcnd
— Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) May 25, 2026
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), a former Army Ranger, also condemned the post.
If we want the moral high ground, we have to be better.
I fought for our country and served with those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
It’s wrong to politicize this day. I won’t hesitate to call out my own team when we fall short. https://t.co/cGNTBbIs9K
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) May 25, 2026
Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) called the post “disgusting and unAmerican.”
“Delete this,” Scott wrote. “These men and women gave the last full measure of devotion protecting their fellow Americans from a tyrannical terrorist regime that wants to kill our people and destroy our way of life. To use them as political props on Memorial Day is just beyond the pale.”
The Department of War called it “one of the most classless, disrespectful, and vile posts using America’s fallen warriors as props to try to score cheap political points.”
Take a look –
This is one of the most classless, disrespectful, and vile posts using America’s fallen warriors as props to try to score cheap political points against President Trump.
Their sacrifice should NEVER be exploited, especially on Memorial Day. pic.twitter.com/Ta5EnaeB8e
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) May 25, 2026